ing from smallpox. Castell caught the disease and died. James Oglethorpe was devastated. He was born to a wealthy British fam- James Oglethorpe ily who had little worry of debtor’s prisons. However, Castell’s death led and the him to lead a campaign to reform British prisons. The more he learned Founding of Georgia about prison conditions, the more up- set he became, and he devoted time James Oglethorpe is recognized as to do something about it. Because of the founder of the American colony his work on prison reform, he earned that today is the state of Georgia. a reputation as one of Britain’s most The colony was settled in response to important humanitarians. Oglethorpe’s views on poverty and his Eventually, Oglethorpe concluded stance against slavery. His ideas were that poverty was a more fundamental formed back in 1728, when Ogletho- problem than prisons were. If people rpe’s friend Robert Castell was sent to in poverty were given the right help, debtor’s prison. At the time, Ogletho- Oglethorpe believed, they could be- rpe held a seat in the British represen- come successful merchants, farmers, tative body, the House of Commons. and artisans. To put this belief into ac- In the Britain of Oglethorpe’s day, tion, he felt that a colony in the New if people could not afford to pay their World could provide help to those in creditors, they could be sent to debt- poverty. “In America there are fertile or’s prisons. At these prisons, inmates lands sufficient to subsist all the use- were expected to pay the prison staff less Poor in England, and distressed fees in order to obtain decent room Protestants in Europe,” Oglethorpe and board. Castell, however, did not wrote. “Yet Thousands starve for want have this money. As a result, he was of mere sustenance.” placed in a cell with an inmate suffer- There were 21 trustees who cre- ated a charter for a new colo- ny, including Oglethorpe. This The Georgia Colony, 1733 charter gave the trustees the power to elect a governing Virginia N body, make land grants, pass laws, and raise taxes. None of North Carolina the 21 trustees would be al- ATLANTIC lowed to earn money through South OCEAN establishing the colony. This Carolina (Britain) was unusual among those who Savannah River set off for the New World. To give each colonist an opportu- Georgia Savannah St. Simons Island nity for success, no single per- Altamaha River son was allowed to own more St. Augustine & than 500 acres of land. In the Fort Mose spirit of equality, slavery would be prohibited. In fact, between Gulf of Florida (Spain) 1735 and 1750, Georgia was Mexico the only one of Britain’s Ameri- British colonies can colonies to attempt to pro- 200 mi 200 km hibit African slavery through public policy. The colony would Geography News Network 0 01 18 2018 also open its continued > – 1 – from previous page >
doors to persecuted religious groups the land, built houses, and construct- such as Jews, Protestants, and Luther- ed fortifications. Work was conducted an Salzburgers. in common, meaning that the entire Oglethorpe argued that Britain group would work together to com- would benefit economically by open- plete one task before they addressed ing its doors to oppressed minorities. another one. “The power of Britain, as a reward for Although Oglethorpe was just one its hospitality, will be increased by the trustee of the colony, most colonists addition of so many religious and in- considered him to be its leader. Ulti- dustrious subjects,” he wrote. In addi- mately, Oglethorpe would reside in tion, with the work of these new citi- Georgia on and off from 1733 to 1743. zens, Britain could produce products During this time, he worked toward in Georgia that it currently was forced the economic and political develop- to buy from countries in the Middle ment of the colony. He also continued East and Asia. “England may be sup- to recruit new settlers from England plied from thence with raw Silk, Wine, and other European countries. He pe- Oil, Dyes, Drugs, and many other ma- riodically returned to England to try to terials for manufactures, which she secure more funds for Georgia. is obliged to purchase from Southern By 1738, there were 1,100 colonists in countries,” Oglethorpe argued. Savannah. However, over time, some King George II approved the char- started to complain about Oglethorpe ter for the Georgia colony on June 9, and the other trustees’ management. 1732. The colony’s motto was the Latin One key issue was that the trustees phrase Non sibi sed allis. This means, did not allow the colonists to make Not for self, but for others. their own laws. Georgia was the only Oglethorpe led the trip to the New one of the 13 colonies to lack a repre- World in 1732. Contrary to Ogletho- sentative assembly. rpe’s original intentions, none of the Colonists also complained about new colonists were actually inmates their lack of economic success. Some from debtor’s prisons. Enough non- argued that the restriction on the size debtor colonists were found who of property ownership would lead to wanted to make the journey. In Janu- poverty. Others complained about the ary 1733, the colonists landed in Brit- prohibition of slavery. The colonists ain’s colony South Carolina. From argued that slavery “would both occa- there, Oglethorpe led a group who sion great Numbers of white People to traveled south. The group steered into come here, and also render us capable the mouth of the Savannah River and to subsist ourselves, by raising Provi- then sailed 18 miles upstream. Even- sions upon our Land, until we could tually, they landed in the area which make some Produce fit for Export.” In is the modern-day city of Savannah. addition, the colonists thought that Oglethorpe thought the site was safe enslaved Africans were better suited because raised land, today named to working in Georgia’s hot climate as Yamacraw Bluff, would protect it from it was similar to their home environ- military assaults from the river. Since ment. Physical labor in a hot climate the area was surrounded by many was “no Way disagreeable nor hurtful” swamps, a land attack would also be to enslaved Africans, the colonists ar- difficult. Oglethorpe secured the land gued. However, this same labor “cre- from Tomochichi, the Native Ameri- ated inflammatory Fevers of various can leader of the nearby Creek village. kinds” for the white colonists. Oglethorpe then returned to South Another point of contention was that Carolina. He brought the colonists to Oglethorpe and the trustees banned their new home on February 1, 1733. rum and other alcoholic spirits from There was a lot of work to be done in the Georgia colony. According to a the new settlement. Colonists cleared pamphlet published in 1741, colonists
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argued that Oglethorpe “Prohibited the Georgia colonists. Eventually, the Importation of Rum, under Pre- Oglethorpe defeated a large group of tense, that it was destructive to the Spanish and their Native American al- Constitution, and an Incentive to De- lies at the Battle of Bloody Marsh on bauchery and Idleness.” Ultimately, Georgia’s St. Simons Island. Because of they argued, these restrictions in fact his victory, Oglethorpe was promoted made life in the Georgia colony more to the rank of brigadier general. difficult. “A little Experience soon con- Even with these military successes, vinced us, that this Restriction was di- Oglethorpe was by now very unpopu- rectly opposite to the Well-being of the lar with many colonists. In addition, Colony,” the pamphlet stated. the other trustees were not happy with At first, Oglethorpe dealt with the Oglethorpe’s leadership. Oglethorpe, most vocal critics by banishing them to who never changed his position on South Carolina. However, by the 1740s, slavery, clashed with the other trust- the trustees slowly began to give in to ees over their abandoning the prohibi- the colonists’ demands. tion on slavery. William Stephens, who Then, war proved to be the larger originally had been sent by the trust- problem. In 1739, war broke out be- ees to assist Oglethorpe, was made tween British Georgia and Spanish the new official head of the colony. Florida. Under Oglethorpe’s command, In time, James Oglethorpe returned the Georgian colonists captured three to England. From across the Atlantic, Spanish forts and laid siege to the he eventually got the chance to see Spanish stronghold at Saint Augustine, the colony he founded become a free Florida. Ultimately, the Spanish mili- and independent state. He was also tary based in Havana, Cuba, was able able to meet with future U.S. president to regain control of Fort Mose, one of John Adams, who was then ambassa- the three forts Oglethorpe had cap- dor to England from the newly formed tured earlier. United States. Oglethorpe died at age In June 1742, a fleet of Spanish 88 in 1785. boats sailed up the Altamaha River in Today, Georgians continue to hon- Georgia. In the battles that ensued, or their state’s founder. One Georgia Oglethorpe was forced to give up his county and two towns share his name. garrison at St. Simons. This and other He is also honored in Oglethorpe Uni- defeats brought heavy criticism from versity located in north Atlanta.
CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS PRACTICE
ACTIVITIES AND QUESTIONS Determining Cause and Effect: What effect did the death of Robert Cas- tell have on the life of James Oglethorpe? Citing Text Evidence: Why did Oglethorpe think that allowing oppressed religious groups to settle in Georgia would benefit Britain? Explaining: What objections did some of the Georgia colonists raise against Oglethorpe and the other trustees? Defending: While the Georgia colony established laws to ensure equality and fairness amongst its citizens, it also did not allow the colonists the right of representation in their government. Are there any instances in which it is beneficial for people to give up personal liberties in order to ensure economic security or social equality? Why or why not?
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Brought to you by Geography News Network. May 18, 2018. #280.
SOURCES https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/james- oglethorpe-1696-1785 http://www.ourgeorgiahistory.com/people/oglethorpe.html http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/history/article/georgia-as-an-english- colony-1732-1775/james_edward_oglethorpe http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/ presentations/timeline/colonial/georgia/ http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/ presentations/timeline/colonial/georgia/rational.html http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/ presentations/timeline/colonial/georgia/freehold.html http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/ presentations/timeline/colonial/georgia/narrativ.html
CLASSROOM RESOURCES http://www.todayingeorgiahistory.org/ http://georgiahistory.com/education-outreach/online-exhibits/online-exhibits/ three-centuries-of-georgia-history/ https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/slavery- colonial-georgia http://social.rollins.edu/wpsites/hist120/2012/11/26/slavery-in-georgia-1780s/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/people-and-culture/food/the- plate/2015/04/10/rum-the-spirit-that-fueled-a-revolution/ http://www.ourgeorgiahistory.com/lists/georgia_forts.html
Larry Marotta: Larry Marotta is a writer and editor with 20 years of experience in the K-12 educational publishing industry. He has extensive experience preparing educational materials for students with disabilities. He is also an active musician, composing and performing regularly. He enjoys reading, traveling, and drawing. 2018 – 4 –